Chapter 65: Bonfire's Success
[You have left the party.]
Reylin left the party first.
That was because the game mechanics were quite complicated.
Aria already had used Reylin's flames for her bonfire.
It made a bonfire for the whole party, and everyone could enjoy it.
It wasn't a real combination, however.
First, it worked only for the party, and the flames' quality didn't matter. Any external fire would be fine for her skill.
Reylin planned to prepare a bonfire that would burn for a long time, and his fire would be the main and the most unique ingredient.
The combination would not only influence the party but the whole city!
That would be like a real combination that required a lot of focus and skills.
After Lioness had used her skill, Reylin threw the fireball. His fireball was quite big, and many residents gawked at it with astonishment.
Although no one of them wielded mana the way players did, the residents could tell the fireball's uniqueness.
Besides, the warmth licked their bodies already.
It didn't take a genius to see that Reylin was a great mage!
His fireball slammed against the tree's pieces, and the flame pillar rose!
"I didn't disappoint," Aria commented from the other side.
[The Adventurer's Bonfire has been used.]
[Your stamina...]
She saw the usual messages flashing in the corner of her eyes. It was pointless to read them as just the first message stated that their combination skill worked. But to make sure that the user knew it, the last message popped.
[Rey Flames Lin's fire has extended the bonfire's longevity!]
[It will burn for the whole month.]
[The bonfire's passive skills will remain intact for the whole duration.]
"Do you really use normal fire skills?" Lioness asked after she'd approached Reylin.
Both of them stared at the bonfire with complacent faces, then Reylin closed his eyes. On his face, a pride transpired, and his smirk was quite taunting for the Lioness.
"Those are my flames," He replied, then backed off as residents crawled their way closer to the bonfire.
Aria followed him.
She didn't forget to remark how taunting his smile was, and it made Reylin smile wider. She spun around and looked at the relieved residents, and a pure smile soon bloomed on her face.
A silence unfurled between them, and they stared at the bonfire for some time.
"Big, just as I like," Reylin broke the silence, "Let's check the noble's household now." And without waiting for Lioness' reply, Reylin turned heels and strutted toward Master Natan's household.
Lioness glanced at his back, threw her hair behind, and followed him, "Will we fight Natan or retreat should he appear before us?"
If Reylin wanted to infiltrate, he wouldn't have pulled her along with himself. It was just a stroll around the noble household, so Lioness asked a crucial question while following him.
She followed her father mostly in her life, but that also quickly changed, and she stood next to him while doing business.
Of course, the younger lioness didn't like following others around, and she was more haughty back then.
It had been a long time, so the current Lioness was quite conflicted inside.
The same, or at least familiar, emotions flashed on her face while following Reylin. That lasted just a little, however. And Aria didn't know whether it was because she matured or Reylin was that different.
Reylin replied, "Retreat. This is the hero's city." He fanned his face with warm air, then added, "If we beat Natan with just two of us, the hero and the masochist would be sulky for a while.
And just as I said, this is the hero's city. We can only lend a hand."
"Okay," Lioness replied, and they walked while talking about the bonfire and the people's relief.
At last, the noble household spread before them.
Those were just walls, however. That was Natan's private land, and residents would have long since invaded the land had there been no walls... For many similar reasons, the nobles built the walls.
Of course, the walls boasted the best architecture, and it left the residents imagining what was on the other side.
Reylin touched the wall, his eyes squinting, "I will have my hand get used to that warmth, then just steal it. Haha,"
Lioness chuckled, "Steal? For yourself?"
"Nope. I will have some jewelry as a reward for my hard work, though." Reylin replied with the same smile, "We will use that warmth to fuel the bonfire and make it last even longer. For that, I need some preparation. Stay on guard, and let me focus."
"That's what I wanted to do," Aria replied, stressing out her thoughts before scrutinizing the area around.
Reylin just laughed at her unwillingness, "You are my prize for this adventure. There's no shame in following me and my orders. And it's not like I am streaming right now, Aria."
"If you did, I would have stolen the spotlight," Lioness sneered, then became silent as Reylin also focused on his current task.
-
[Ferocious Bear has joined the party.]
[Steel Melody has joined the party.]
At last, these two had returned.
It was faster than their adventure due to the carriage, but the transport didn't bring them straight to Tathum City.
It was naturally due to the specters going around and their ghastly mana influencing the whole province.
No sane resident would conduct business here.
Only the desperate would, but Maya and Steel Melody didn't have time to search for such a person.
On their return, Steel Melody greeted the duo back, then her eyes widened at the bonfire, "It's so warm here! We also won't get affected by the cold! This is our base now!"
She was in high spirits, and the death didn't leave any bitterness behind.
On the other hand, Ferocious Bear was silent all time long, and her head hung down. She didn't reveal any of her natural cuteness, and it seemed like many thoughts crossed her mind.
Reylin welcomed them back, "It will be our base soon." He corrected Steel Melody first, then turned his eyes to Ferocious Bear, "Are you ready to fight him again?"
Maya's eyes rose, and she silently nodded.
"You two still need to rest. Enjoy the bonfire while I prepare two important items. And we will draw the noble out, so we will fight him in a few days at most."
"Eh? So what are we going to do for a few days?" Steel Melody complained on the spot!
Reylin glared at her, "Go and hunt specters, maybe? I will lend you my staff."
"That's fine with me! Let's go!"
"How damn simple."